Inside the Wildlife Sanctuaries Where India’s Big Cats Still Roam Free

By Raajwrita Dutta 22 July 2025

India’s majestic big cats, including tigers, lions, and leopards, face threats like habitat loss and poaching. Wildlife sanctuaries protect these animals and their homes.

Sanctuaries safeguard natural habitats, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and play an important role in conserving India’s rich wildlife heritage.

1. Jim Corbett National Park Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand’s oldest sanctuary, shelters a massive tiger population amid hills, rivers, and dense forests.

Its varied terrain offers shelter and prey for big cats, making it a critical refuge where tigers roam safely and breed successfully.

2. Ranthambore National Park Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, is famous for Bengal tigers living alongside ancient forts and open dry forests, attracting many wildlife tourists.

Conservation efforts here have boosted tiger numbers, while the unique landscape offers a picturesque habitat for these powerful predators.

3. Gir National Park Gir National Park in Gujarat is the sole sanctuary for Asiatic lions, providing dry deciduous forests that offer perfect shelter and abundant prey for this endangered species.

Conservation has helped lion numbers rise, making Gir a symbol of successful wildlife protection and ongoing species survival.

4. Sunderbans Mangrove Forest The Sunderbans, West Bengal, protects Bengal tigers in the world’s largest mangrove forest, where tidal waterways create a unique habitat.

Dense mangroves shield tigers from threats while supporting rare wildlife, showing the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems.

Ongoing protection, habitat restoration, and community involvement are important to securing a safe future for India’s iconic big cats.